Profiteers prepare to make hay as Ramazan begins

As Ramazan begins, the annual ritual of skyrocketing prices has once again reared its ugly head, forcing citizens to break the bank before they break their fast.

Despite the government's vows to rein in profiteering, markets tell a different story, with fruits, vegetables, meat and groceries surging by 10% to 50%, turning grocery shopping into a test of faith.

Citizens lament that while the holy month is meant to cleanse the soul, it now only empties the wallet as it becomes an open season for those cashing in on necessity.

In Karachi, a survey conducted a day before the start of Ramazan revealed that the cost of basic commodities had surged overnight, leaving consumers reeling.

Market rates show that onions are selling for Rs 80-100/kg, potatoes Rs70-80/kg, and tomatoes Rs 40/kg, while garlic has soared to Rs 800/kg and ginger to Rs 600-800/kg.

Green chillies, capsicum, and green onions are now priced at Rs200/kg. Common vegetables like brinjals, spinach, radish and carrots are Rs 80/kg, while cauliflower and turnips are Rs100/kg.

Bitter gourd and okra are fetching Rs 240/kg, with fresh coriander and mint at Rs 20 per bundle.

Fruits, a staple for iftar, are also out of reach for many. Bananas are being sold for Rs200-300 per dozen, oranges Rs400-700 per dozen and strawberries Rs600-800/kg. Guavas are available at Rs300/kg, dates between Rs400-800/kg, and watermelon at Rs 200/kg.

Meat prices have also skyrocketed. Beef with bones is selling for Rs1,300-1,500/kg, boneless beef for Rs1,600-1,800/kg, and mutton for Rs2,200/kg. Chicken prices have surged to Rs700/kg, while traditional Ramazan treats like samosas, pheni, and dahi baray have also become expensive, with pheni costing Rs1,000-1,400/kg, samosas Rs480 per dozen, and dahi baray Rs800/kg.

In Lahore, inflation is biting even harder, with mutton now touching Rs 2,500/kg, beef at Rs 1,300/kg, and chicken meat at Rs625/kg. Basic commodities such as gram flour (Rs 370/kg), white chickpeas (Rs 420/kg), and cooking oil (Rs 550 per litre) have also seen steep price increases.

Lahore's Deputy Commissioner Rafia Haider assured the public that price-control teams were cracking down on profiteers daily.

However, consumers dismissed the efforts as mere lip service. Many complain that price-control raids are nothing more than symbolic gestures, with a few shopkeepers fined while the rest of the market continues business as usual.

Meanwhile, the situation in Rawalpindi is no different. Daily essentials such as sugar, flour, lentils and rice have all seen price surges, adding to the burden of already struggling households.